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She smiled. “I hope he enjoys them.”
“Oh, I’m sure he will.” He stuck out his hand and Ava shook it. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
“You as well,” she said. “I hope we meet again soon.”
Morgan turned to me and shook his finger at me. “You know. I think I pegged you all wrong, Crawford. If you were smart enough to hire her, you may not be an idiot after all.”
“Thank you,” I said, knowing his words were no compliment.
What the heck was inside that bag?
“I’ll see you later,” he called and walked down the hallway.
“What did you give him?” I asked when Morgan was in the elevator.
She smiled. “Doggy treats.”
“You’re joking?” I asked. She had to be kidding.
“After I spoke to his assistant about his favorite dessert, I went online and checked his social media profile. The man loves his dog more than his wife and kids, judging from all the pictures he takes with him. So, I called her back and asked if she knew Taylor’s favorite treat, too.”
Holy Shit. She’s fucking brilliant.
I couldn’t believe she’d thought to do all that. “You’re amazing!” I said and moved closer to her. Her brown eyes flickered up and captured mine with a poignant gaze. I raised my hand toward her face, itching to pull her closer. Leaning in, I knew I would kiss her right here in the middle of the office. My fingers burrowed inside her hair. Shit!
Her eyes rounded, as large as saucers, as I pulled away. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” I said.
“It’s… okay. We were excited. You didn’t mean it.”
Only I did mean it.
“Thank you, Ava,” I said, my voice deepening.
She wet her lips. “You’re welcome.”
Then she turned and walked away.
5
Frances
The office holiday party was tonight and I didn’t plan to attend. But Erika argued that I needed to get out more. Although we were both worried about me running into the mailroom employees, she assured me she’d watch my back.
I went to her apartment after work and she picked out a dress from her closet that screamed Ava Grady instead of Frances Netto.
Two hours later, I pouted my lips in front of my bathroom mirror while applying a thick swipe of my favorite red lipstick. I had straightened my curly hair for the holiday party and the ends now reached mid-way down my back. I barely recognized myself in the long, straight hair, heavy makeup, and tight red dress. I hoped no one from the mailroom would recognize me either. I would avoid them, anyway.
“Whoa! Where are you going looking like that?” asked Marco, walking past the bathroom door.
“Office party,” I said, spraying a humidity blocker on my hair.
“Well, make sure you give your boss a big kiss from me.”
I stopped spraying and turned to Marco. “What?”
“You know, for giving you an advance on your paycheck so you can help me pay for college.” I cringed and he saw it. “You are still getting that advance? It’s okay if they changed their mind. I’ll—”
“No, no. It’s just that not many people know about it. So, let’s just keep it between us. Wouldn’t want everyone asking for an advance.”
